Containers with the right stuff

When dangerous materials travel by road, rail or ship, strict international safety standards come into play, particularly for the containers that hold them. Both the manufacturing process and the components used to make these containers have to be of the highest quality.
That is a fact well known by Langh Group Cargo Solutions, a Finnish company that makes portable tank containers for liquids as well as cargo containers for corrosive and sharp bulk shipments.

Recently, the firm upgraded the material it uses to manufacture both container types, switching to a new grade of austenitic stainless steel developed by Outokumpu.

Strong, light and hard-wearing

Changing over to, Forta 316plus, a high-chromium grade, resulted in a number of improvements for the company.

Langh Group Cargo Solutions had previously used wear-resistant carbon steel, but found that resistance to corrosion and wear in the new stainless was better. The Forta 316plus also went through cold working to increase its strength, making it more durable than the carbon steel and less likely to burst when sharp objects were loaded.

The strength lead to two more crucial factors: “We could now make thinner walls for containers, which results in both a lighter weight for the container and an increase in the amount of material that can be carried,” explains Markku Yli-Kahri, Product Manager from Langh Group Cargo Solutions.

Easy to use

Because it contains less nickel and molybdenum than standard grades, Forta 316plus came with a competitive price tag.

But for Langh Group Cargo Solutions, how the material handled during the manufacturing process was a key consideration. The company was glad to learn that Forta 316plus could be welded with the same tools and techniques used for standard grades, which made the fabrication fast and easy.

Case facts

Challenge

Langh Group Cargo Solution needed a strong and durable material for their containers that carry hazardous goods in corrosive environment.

Solution

Austenitic Outokumpu’s Forta stainless steel provides the right combination of strength, corrosion resistance and light weight, which results in number of improvements.

How can we help you?

About Outokumpu

Outokumpu is the global leader in stainless steel. Our customers use it to create civilization’s basic structures and its most famous landmarks. Stainless steel is sustainable, durable and designed to last forever.

We aim to be the best value creator in stainless by 2020, through our competitive edge of customer orientation and efficiency. The foundation of our business is our ability to tailor stainless steel into any form and for almost any purpose.

Outokumpu employs 10,000 professionals in more than 30 countries, with headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and shares listed in Nasdaq Helsinki.

Recycling maximized

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable. It is the most recycled material in the world, and its quality is preserved in the process.

Our stainless steel contains the highest proportion of recycled content on the market, and we keep pushing this further to conserve virgin raw materials. Increasing the share of recycled material is the single most effective measure to reduce our environmental impact.

Using Outokumpu’s stainless steel decreases our customer's own carbon footprint and that of their customers.